Victoria Beckham struggles to raise a smile as she arrives at the Royal Wedding

Deep down, David still has a desire for his family to live a “normal life”.

He finds the constant social media “shoots” tiresome, especially as image-conscious Victoria insists on full make-up and designer clothes before featuring in any herself.

The ex-England football captain, on the other hand, is genuinely down to earth and relaxed about his appearance and social events. He still likes to spend time at the local pub, which Victoria hates because she is concerned about being photographed.

As one of my well-connected Beckham insiders puts it: “David loves Victoria having her own fashion business. He knows if Victoria is busy with her own work then she is out of his hair, which gives him more time to relax or focus on the football team in Miami or his own projects.”

Posh is used to spending chunks of the year away from her husband.

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The Beckhams were criticised after Victoria showed off Harper, six, had bought her dad a £4,950 Louis Vuitton wine case

Over the past 100 days, Becks has been in China, Miami and Tokyo without Posh. He was also in China back in April after visiting the Indonesian capital of Jakarta in March.

The Beckhams’ public display of affection at the London fashion bash on Sunday was nothing new.

In 2004 when their marriage was rocked by allegations made by David’s former PA Rebecca Loos, the couple went off to an alpine retreat where the one-time Real Madrid star was snapped giving Posh a piggyback.

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In 2004, Rebecca Loos was accused of having an affair with David Beckham, which he always deniedCredit: Reuters

But never before had bookies suspended betting on a split, which is what happened last week.

The incorrect social media rumour that the Beckhams were heading for divorce grew so intense it was trending on Twitter at 8am.

Then there are the tattoos. David’s latest solar system tattoo on his skull comes at a time when Victoria is desperate to remove her own inkings.

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David risked wife Victoria's fury last month after sitting close to Bella Hadid during a Paris football matchCredit: Splash News

Victoria Beckham gushes over husband David Beckham in TV interview

She is also concerned about the number of tattoos Brooklyn now has, inspired by his dad.

Awkward with new people, Victoria is envious of David’s ability to be the most popular person in the room — whether partying with royalty or sportsmen. As I have documented over the past two years, she also feels uncomfortable with his female friendships.

She also did not approve of his friendship with wild socialite Lady Mary Charteris, who the couple were introduced to during David’s wild weekend at the Glastonbury Music Festival.

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David Beckham's decision to launch a new Major League Soccer team in Miami sparked new tensions for the coupleCredit: Getty - Contributor

Victoria had words with David during his “lost weekend” at Worthy Farm after she arrived by helicopter to find him in a “complete state” after two days of boozing.

More recently, the night before the Royal Wedding, Becks was seen partying with female Kara Keble White at Soho Farmhouse. The pretty brunette, who was celebrating her 25th birthday, wrote on Instagram: “Thanks for the shots.”

In the past, Victoria has also had an issue with David’s friendships with Jason Statham and his partner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, as well as Charlize Theron.

She is becoming increasingly uncomfortable with David’s party lifestyle — despite the fact that he is making more money through his various business interests than he did playing football, when he was earning £34,000 a day.

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Victoria's concerned that Brooklyn is getting too many tattoos just like his dadCredit: Splash News

Victoria is known to make her feelings clear by what events she does not attend.

Her decision to skip Guy Ritchie’s wedding in July 2015 marked a new crisis for the Beckhams, who had started to live increasingly separate lives.

She was also absent from the premiere of Ritchie’s film King Arthur last May, even though it marked David’s acting debut.

Victoria was believed to have had her tattoo tributes to David removed, including a message in Hebrew on her neck which read: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

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Victoria Beckham skipped Guy Ritchie's wedding in July 2015 despite being a close friend of David'sCredit: Getty - Contributor

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